In 18th century Europe, new, enlightened ideas emerged and people started to seek change. The Enlightenment spread, causing many European countries to revolt and overthrow their traditional governments and social system. The spirit of revolution also started to spread from Europe to the Latin American colonies, already discontent with being ruled by Spain. Educated people read the writings of Enlightened ideas, and were also inspired by how the Americans overthrew their British rulers, and established governments based on the ideals of "liberty, equality, and fraternity"
Conditions
Since the Europeans discovered the Americas, they had dominated and enslaved the people, crushing the native people and governments with their power. The Spanish ruled most of the land in Southern America. In the latin american colonies, only Spanish-born people could hold important jobs in the government and the church, everyone else was second class to them. Many citizens were tired of this treatment, angry at being forced to hold lower social status. The Native people of the colonies suffered immensely under spanish rule, being forced into slavery.
Different colonies
Haiti
Haiti was a French-ruled colony where the native Haitian people were enslaved and forced to work on plantations. The slaves revolted against their French rulers in 1791, lead by a former but self-educated slave named Toussait L'Ouverture. This man became a General of the slave revolt, and would help the Haitian people reclaim their independence
Mexico and Central America
The slave revolt in Haiti frightened, but inspired many people in Mexico and Central America, and the native people wanted the power to rule their contry back, but few wanted to start a revolution and threaten the traditional social or economic state. However, many priests and leaders rallied forces together to fight for freedom.
South America
Many people in south America that were ruled by the Spanish admired the French and American revolutions; They dreamed for their own independence one day from their rulers of Spain. Many of the people of these countries were forced into slavery, and had been dominated by Europeans since they met. The revolting countries included Gran Colombia (Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador), Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and the Native American Indians.
Napolean Bonaparte
The real starting spark for revolution was when Napolean and the French invaded Spain in 1808. The Spanish King was pushed out, and the Latin American countries saw this as the time to act - the Spanish were weak, so the people saw this as the perfect time to fight for their independence.
Causes for Revolution
European Influence and Enlightenment
In 18th century Europe, new, enlightened ideas emerged and people started to seek change. The Enlightenment spread, causing many European countries to revolt and overthrow their traditional governments and social system. The spirit of revolution also started to spread from Europe to the Latin American colonies, already discontent with being ruled by Spain. Educated people read the writings of Enlightened ideas, and were also inspired by how the Americans overthrew their British rulers, and established governments based on the ideals of "liberty, equality, and fraternity"Conditions
Since the Europeans discovered the Americas, they had dominated and enslaved the people, crushing the native people and governments with their power. The Spanish ruled most of the land in Southern America. In the latin american colonies, only Spanish-born people could hold important jobs in the government and the church, everyone else was second class to them. Many citizens were tired of this treatment, angry at being forced to hold lower social status. The Native people of the colonies suffered immensely under spanish rule, being forced into slavery.Different colonies
Haiti
Haiti was a French-ruled colony where the native Haitian people were enslaved and forced to work on plantations. The slaves revolted against their French rulers in 1791, lead by a former but self-educated slave named Toussait L'Ouverture. This man became a General of the slave revolt, and would help the Haitian people reclaim their independenceMexico and Central America
The slave revolt in Haiti frightened, but inspired many people in Mexico and Central America, and the native people wanted the power to rule their contry back, but few wanted to start a revolution and threaten the traditional social or economic state. However, many priests and leaders rallied forces together to fight for freedom.South America
Many people in south America that were ruled by the Spanish admired the French and American revolutions; They dreamed for their own independence one day from their rulers of Spain. Many of the people of these countries were forced into slavery, and had been dominated by Europeans since they met. The revolting countries included Gran Colombia (Venezuela, Colombia, and Ecuador), Argentina, Chile, Brazil, and the Native American Indians.Napolean Bonaparte
The real starting spark for revolution was when Napolean and the French invaded Spain in 1808. The Spanish King was pushed out, and the Latin American countries saw this as the time to act - the Spanish were weak, so the people saw this as the perfect time to fight for their independence.